Image scanning device and image processing apparatus including card scanning function, and image scanning method thereof

ABSTRACT

An image scanning device includes a platen, an image scanning unit that scans at a single time documents placed on the platen and generates pieces of image data, and an image data processing unit that performs processing of the pieces of image data. When the image scanning unit generates pieces of first image data by scanning first surfaces of the documents, each of which is placed in one of predetermined areas on the platen, and generates pieces of second image data by scanning surfaces opposite to the first surfaces of the documents, each of which is turned over and placed again in the one of the predetermined areas, the image data processing unit associates one of the pieces of the first image data with a corresponding one of the pieces of the second image data for each of the predetermined areas, as image data of the front and back surfaces.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The present disclosure relates to an image scanning device, an imageprocessing apparatus including the image scanning device, an imagescanning method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

Image scanning devices having a card scan function of scanning, at asingle time, images on the front and back surfaces of a card, such as abusiness card, a driver's license, or a credit card, are known in therelated art.

Such image scanning devices having the card scan function include adevice that scans both sides of a card simultaneously by using aspecialized device such as an automatic double-side scanning device.However, when such an automatic double-side scanning device is used toscan a thick sheet, such as a plastic card, a dedicated path to pass athick sheet is used, leading to a complex mechanism and an increase indevice cost.

There is disclosed an image scanning device capable of associatingimages of the front and back surfaces of a document scanned at a singletime and thereby performing processing, such as storing and displaying,of a set of images of the front and back surfaces of a document that hasimages on both surfaces of a sheet (for example, refer to JapaneseUnexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-100211).

In such a card scan function, however, the size of a card to be scannedand the scan position are generally specified, and a user is requestedto properly place a card of the specified size at the specified positionon a platen when the card is scanned. Thus, when the user places a cardof an unspecified size on the platen or a card is not placed at thespecified position for scanning, an image of the card may not beproperly scanned.

SUMMARY

It is desirable to provide an image scanning device capable of scanningat a single time a plurality of documents placed on a platen with lessrestriction than in the related art, an image processing apparatusincluding the image scanning device, an image scanning method, and anon-transitory computer-readable medium.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an imagescanning device including a platen, an image scanning unit that scans ata single time a plurality of documents placed on the platen andgenerates a plurality of pieces of image data, and an image dataprocessing unit that performs processing of the plurality of pieces ofimage data. When the image scanning unit generates a plurality of piecesof first image data by scanning at a single time first surfaces of theplurality of documents, each of the plurality of documents being placedin one of a plurality of predetermined areas on the platen, andthereafter generates a plurality of pieces of second image data byscanning at a single time surfaces opposite to the first surfaces of theplurality of documents, each of the plurality of documents being turnedover and placed again in the one of the plurality of predeterminedareas, the image data processing unit associates one of the plurality ofpieces of the first image data with a corresponding one of the pluralityof pieces of the second image data for each of the plurality ofpredetermined areas, as pieces of image data of the front surface andthe back surface.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided animage processing apparatus including the image scanning device, adisplay unit, and an image processing unit that performs processing ofimage data generated by the image scanning device and that thereaftercauses the display unit to display an image based on the image data.

According to still another aspect of the disclosure, there is providedan image scanning method including image scanning in which a pluralityof documents placed on a platen are scanned at a single time and aplurality of pieces of image data are generated, and image dataprocessing in which the plurality of pieces of image data are processed.In the image scanning, when a plurality of pieces of first image dataare generated by scanning at a single time first surfaces of theplurality of documents, each of the plurality of documents being placedin one of a plurality of predetermined areas on the platen, andthereafter a plurality of pieces of second image data are generated byscanning at a single time surfaces opposite to the first surfaces of theplurality of documents, each of the plurality of documents being turnedover and placed again in the one of the plurality of predeterminedareas, in the image data processing, one of the plurality of pieces ofthe first image data is associated with a corresponding one of theplurality of pieces of the second image data for each of the pluralityof predetermined areas, as pieces of image data of the front surface andthe back surface.

According to a further aspect of the disclosure, there is provided anon-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program causing aprocessor of an image scanning device to execute a process includingimage scanning in which a plurality of documents placed on a platen arescanned at a single time and a plurality of pieces of image data aregenerated, and image data processing in which the plurality of pieces ofimage data are processed. In the image scanning, when a plurality ofpieces of first image data are generated by scanning at a single timefirst surfaces of the plurality of documents, each of the plurality ofdocuments being placed in one of a plurality of predetermined areas onthe platen, and thereafter a plurality of pieces of second image dataare generated by scanning at a single time surfaces opposite to thefirst surfaces of the plurality of documents, each of the plurality ofdocuments being turned over and placed again in the one of the pluralityof predetermined areas, in the image data processing, one of theplurality of pieces of the first image data is associated with acorresponding one of the plurality of pieces of the second image datafor each of the plurality of predetermined areas, as pieces of imagedata of the front surface and the back surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of a digital multifunctionperipheral according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the digital multifunction peripheral in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an illustration depicting a panel unit of the digitalmultifunction peripheral in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an illustration depicting a platen when a platen cover of thedigital multifunction peripheral in FIG. 1 is opened;

FIG. 5 is an illustration depicting the platen in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting a schematic configuration of thedigital multifunction peripheral in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of card scan processingperformed by the digital multifunction peripheral in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the outline of card scan processingperformed by the digital multifunction peripheral in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an illustration depicting an example of an operating procedurefor card scan performed by the digital multifunction peripheral in FIG.1;

FIG. 10 is an illustration depicting the example of the operatingprocedure for card scan performed by the digital multifunctionperipheral in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is an illustration depicting the example of the operatingprocedure for card scan performed by the digital multifunctionperipheral in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged illustration of a setting screen for card scandepicted in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an illustration depicting the example of the operatingprocedure for card scan performed by the digital multifunctionperipheral in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged illustration of a setting screen for selecting atransmission layout depicted in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an illustration depicting an example of card layout on theplaten in FIG. 4;

FIG. 16 is an illustration depicting an example of a preview screen ofthe front surfaces of the cards scanned as depicted in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an illustration depicting another example of card layout onthe platen in FIG. 4;

FIG. 18 is an illustration depicting an example of improper card layouton the platen in FIG. 4;

FIG. 19 is an illustration depicting an example of card layout on theplaten in FIG. 4;

FIG. 20 is an illustration depicting an example of a preview screen ofthe back surfaces of the cards scanned as depicted in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an illustration depicting an example of a confirmationmessage checking whether another scan is to be performed;

FIG. 22 is an illustration depicting an example of a preview screen ofthe front and back surfaces of cards displayed in accordance with aselected transmission layout;

FIGS. 23A and 23B are illustrations depicting examples of card layout onthe platen in FIG. 4;

FIG. 23A depicts an example layout for scanning the back surfaces of thecards, and FIG. 23B depicts an example layout for scanning the frontsurfaces of the cards;

FIGS. 24A and 24B are illustrations each depicting an example of atransmission layout according to a second embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 24A depicts an example layout for transmission to a sheet inportrait orientation, and FIG. 24B depicts an example layout fortransmission to a sheet in landscape orientation;

FIGS. 25A to 25D are illustrations each depicting an example of atransmission layout according to the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 25A and 25B each depict an example layout for transmission to asheet in portrait orientation, and FIGS. 25C and 25D each depict anexample layout for transmission to a sheet in landscape orientation;

FIGS. 26A to 26D are illustrations each depicting an example of atransmission layout according to the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 26A and 26B each depict an example layout for transmission tosheets in portrait orientation, and FIGS. 26C and 26D each depict anexample layout for transmission to sheets in landscape orientation;

FIGS. 27A and 27B are illustrations each depicting an example of atransmission layout according to the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 27A and 27B each depict an example layout for transmission to asheet in portrait orientation;

FIGS. 28A and 28B are illustrations depicting examples of improper cardlayout;

FIG. 28A depicts an example layout for scanning the back surfaces of thecards, and FIG. 28B depicts an example layout for scanning the frontsurface of the card;

FIGS. 29A and 29B are illustrations depicting examples of improper cardlayout;

FIG. 29A depicts an example layout for scanning the back surfaces of thecards, and FIG. 29B depicts an example layout for scanning the frontsurfaces of the cards;

FIGS. 30A and 30B are illustrations depicting examples of improper cardlayout;

FIG. 30A depicts an example layout for scanning the back surfaces of thecards, and FIG. 30B depicts an example layout for scanning the frontsurfaces of the cards;

FIGS. 31A and 31B are illustrations depicting examples of improper cardlayout;

FIG. 31A depicts an example layout for scanning the back surfaces of thecards, and FIG. 31B depicts an example layout for scanning the frontsurfaces of the cards;

FIGS. 32A and 32B are illustrations depicting examples of card layout onthe platen of the image scanning device according to a fourthembodiment; and

FIG. 32A depicts an example layout for scanning the back surfaces of thecards, and FIG. 32B depicts an example layout for scanning the frontsurfaces of the cards.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(i) An image scanning device according to this disclosure includes aplaten, an image scanning unit that scans at a single time a pluralityof documents placed on the platen and generates a plurality of pieces ofimage data, and an image data processing unit that performs processingof the plurality of pieces of image data. When the image scanning unitgenerates a plurality of pieces of first image data by scanning at asingle time first surfaces of the plurality of documents, each of theplurality of documents being placed in one of a plurality ofpredetermined areas on the platen, and thereafter generates a pluralityof pieces of second image data by scanning at a single time surfacesopposite to the first surfaces of the plurality of documents, each ofthe plurality of documents being turned over and placed again in the oneof the plurality of predetermined areas, the image data processing unitassociates one of the plurality of pieces of the first image data with acorresponding one of the plurality of pieces of the second image datafor each of the plurality of predetermined areas, as pieces of imagedata of the front surface and the back surface.

An image processing apparatus according to this disclosure includes theimage scanning device, a display unit, and an image processing unit thatperforms processing of image data generated by the image scanning deviceand that thereafter causes the display unit to display an image based onthe image data.

An image scanning method according to this disclosure includes imagescanning in which a plurality of documents placed on a platen arescanned at a single time and a plurality of pieces of image data aregenerated and image data processing in which the plurality of pieces ofimage data are processed. In the image scanning, when a plurality ofpieces of first image data are generated by scanning at a single timefirst surfaces of the plurality of documents, each of the plurality ofdocuments being placed in one of a plurality of predetermined areas onthe platen, and thereafter a plurality of pieces of second image dataare generated by scanning at a single time surfaces opposite to thefirst surfaces of the plurality of documents, each of the plurality ofdocuments being turned over and placed again in the one of the pluralityof predetermined areas, in the image data processing, one of theplurality of pieces of the first image data is associated with acorresponding one of the plurality of pieces of the second image datafor each of the plurality of predetermined areas, as pieces of imagedata of the front surface and the back surface.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to this disclosurestores a program causing a processor of an image scanning device toexecute a process including image scanning in which a plurality ofdocuments placed on a platen are scanned at a single time and aplurality of pieces of image data are generated and image dataprocessing in which the plurality of pieces of image data are processed.In the image scanning, when a plurality of pieces of first image dataare generated by scanning at a single time first surfaces of theplurality of documents, each of the plurality of documents being placedin one of a plurality of predetermined areas on the platen, andthereafter a plurality of pieces of second image data are generated byscanning at a single time surfaces opposite to the first surfaces of theplurality of documents, each of the plurality of documents being turnedover and placed again in the one of the plurality of predeterminedareas, in the image data processing, one of the plurality of pieces ofthe first image data is associated with a corresponding one of theplurality of pieces of the second image data for each of the pluralityof predetermined areas, as pieces of image data of the front surface andthe back surface.

In this disclosure, the phrase “a plurality of documents, each of theplurality of documents being placed in one of a plurality ofpredetermined areas” includes not only a plurality of documents thatoccupy all of the plurality of predetermined areas, but also a pluralityof documents that occupy some of the plurality of predetermined areas.For example, the phrase “a plurality of documents, each of the pluralityof documents being placed in one of a plurality of predetermined areas”may mean documents placed in one to three areas among four areas createdby dividing a platen lengthwise and breadthwise.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described further.

(ii) The image scanning device according to this disclosure may furtherinclude an area indicating unit having at least one mark that indicatespositions of the plurality of predetermined areas.

In this way, a plurality of documents are placed by using, as a guide,the area indicating unit that indicates the positions of the pluralityof predetermined areas, and thus the image scanning device capable ofscanning at a single time a plurality of documents that are placed onthe platen with less restriction than in the related art may berealized.

The phrase “an area indicating unit having at least one mark thatindicates positions of the plurality of predetermined areas” means, forexample, a perimeter (document guide) of the platen on which at leastone mark that indicates a position of a boundary between areas, such asa triangular arrowhead, an indicating line, or a boundary line, ispresent. Alternatively, the area indicating unit may be a platen coveron which an arrow or an indicating line is drawn to indicate a pluralityof areas at a position corresponding to the at least one mark on theplaten. The area indicating unit may also be a laser, which emits adirectional light indicating a position of a boundary between aplurality of areas.

(iii) The image scanning device according to this disclosure may furtherinclude an output layout setting unit that sets a layout for outputtingthe plurality of pieces of image data, and the image data processingunit may associate the plurality of pieces of image data with each otherin accordance with the layout that is set by the output layout settingunit.

In this way, the plurality of pieces of image data are associated witheach other in accordance with the layout that is set by the outputlayout setting unit, and thus the image scanning device capable ofscanning at a single time a plurality of documents that are placed onthe platen with less restriction than in the related art may berealized.

(iv) The image scanning device according to this disclosure may furtherinclude a display unit, the display unit indicating positions of theplurality of areas on the platen, the plurality of areas beingpredetermined in accordance with the number of the plurality ofdocuments to be scanned at a single time, so that each of the pluralityof documents is placed separately in one of the plurality of areas.

In this way, the plurality of areas that are predetermined in accordancewith the number of the plurality of documents to be scanned at a singletime are displayed by the display unit, and thus the image scanningdevice capable of scanning at a single time a plurality of documentsthat are placed on the platen with less restriction than in the relatedart may be realized.

(v) In the image scanning device according to this disclosure, the atleast one mark may be a boundary line that divides the platen into theplurality of areas in accordance with the number of the plurality ofdocuments to be scanned at a single time.

In this way, at least one boundary line that divides the platen into theplurality of areas is displayed by the display unit in accordance withthe number of the plurality of documents to be scanned at a single time,and thus the user may easily place both surfaces of one of the pluralityof documents in the same area using the at least one boundary line as aguide.

The plurality of areas may be indicated by using a graphic symbol otherthan a boundary line, and another symbol such as an arrow may be used.

(vi) In the image scanning device according to this disclosure, the atleast one mark may be an arrow, an indicating line, or anotherindicating symbol that indicates a position of a boundary between theplurality of areas in accordance with the number of the plurality ofdocuments to be scanned at a single time.

In this way, at least one indicating symbol, such as an arrow, anindicating line, or the like that indicates a position of a boundarybetween the plurality of areas is displayed by the display unit inaccordance with the number of the plurality of documents to be scannedat a single time, and thus the user may easily place both surfaces ofone of the plurality of documents in the same area on the platen usingthe at least one indicating symbol as a guide.

(vii) In the image scanning device according to this disclosure, theimage scanning unit may generate the plurality of pieces of the firstimage data, and thereafter the display unit may display a scan result ofthe plurality of pieces of the first image data.

In this way, a result of scanning first surfaces of the plurality ofdocuments at a single time is displayed, and thus the user may easilyturn over and place each of the plurality of documents in acorresponding area on the platen using the result as a guide.

(viii) In the image scanning device according to this disclosure, theimage scanning unit may generate the plurality of pieces of the firstimage data, and thereafter the display unit displays an instruction toturn over and place each of the plurality of documents again in acorresponding one of the plurality of areas.

In this way, the instruction to turn over and place each of theplurality of documents again in the corresponding one of the pluralityof predetermined areas is displayed by the display unit after thesurfaces of the plurality of documents are scanned at a single time, andthus the user may easily turn over and place each of the plurality ofdocuments in the corresponding area on the platen using the instructionas a guide.

(ix) In the image scanning device according to this disclosure, theinstruction may include at least one of an animation and a message.

In this way, the animation or message to turn over and place each of theplurality of documents again in the corresponding one of the pluralityof predetermined areas is displayed by the display unit after thesurfaces of the plurality of document are scanned at a single time, andthus the user may easily turn over and place each of the plurality ofdocuments in the corresponding area on the platen using the animation ormessage as a guide.

(x) The image scanning device according to this disclosure may furtherinclude an operation unit that receives an instruction from the user,when the image scanning unit generates the plurality of pieces of thefirst image data and the plurality of pieces of the second image data,the display unit may display, in accordance with the number of theplurality of documents, a plurality of layouts in which the plurality ofdocuments are arranged in rows and columns in accordance withpredetermined arrays, and, when the operation unit receives selection ofone of the plurality of layouts, the output layout setting unit mayassociate each of the plurality of pieces of the first image data withone of the plurality of pieces of the second image data in accordancewith the selected one of the plurality of layouts.

In this way, each of the plurality of pieces of the first image data isassociated with one of the plurality of pieces of the second image datain accordance with the layout selected by the user from the plurality oflayouts displayed by the display unit in accordance with the number ofthe plurality of documents, and thus an image scanning device thatenables the user to select various layouts easily and that is capable ofoutputting the images of the plurality of documents may be realized.

(xi) The image scanning device according to this disclosure may furtherinclude an image scanning determining unit and an error reporting unit,and when the image scanning determining unit determines that theplurality of documents are improperly arranged in the plurality ofareas, the error reporting unit may report error information.

In this way, when the plurality of documents are improperly arranged inthe plurality of predetermined areas, the error information is reported,and thus the image scanning device capable of scanning at a single timea plurality of documents that are placed on the platen with lessrestriction than in the related art may be realized.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in more detailwith reference to the drawings. The following descriptions areillustrative in all respects and are not to be considered as limitingthis disclosure.

First Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, an outline of a digital multifunctionperipheral 1 will be described as an example image processing apparatusincluding the image scanning device according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of thedigital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the digital multifunctionperipheral 1 in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an illustration depicting a panel unit17 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is anillustration depicting a platen 191 when a platen cover 19 of thedigital multifunction peripheral 1 in FIG. 1 is opened. FIG. 5 is anillustration depicting the platen 191 in FIG. 4.

The digital multifunction peripheral 1 is an apparatus that has acopying function, a scanning function, and a facsimile function,performs digital processing of image data obtained by scanning adocument, and thereafter outputs the processed image data.

This disclosure is applicable not only to the digital multifunctionperipheral 1 but also to all apparatuses having an image scanningfunction, such as a scanner and a passport reader.

As depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the digital multifunction peripheral 1includes the platen cover 19 covering the platen 191 and the panel unit17. As depicted in FIG. 3, the panel unit 17 includes a displayoperation unit 171 having a touch panel function and a physicaloperation unit 172.

As depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, a user opens the platen cover 19 upward,places a plurality of cards C1 and C2 on the platen 191, and scans theplurality of cards at a single time.

The digital multifunction peripheral 1 performs a job such as a cardscan in accordance with an instruction received from the user via thedisplay operation unit 171.

Next, referring to FIG. 6, a schematic configuration of the digitalmultifunction peripheral 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagramdepicting a schematic configuration of the digital multifunctionperipheral 1 in FIG. 1. As depicted in FIG. 6, the digital multifunctionperipheral 1 includes a control unit 10, an image scanning unit 11, animage forming unit 12, a storage 13, an image processing unit 14, acommunication unit 15, a sheet feeder 16, the panel unit 17, and atiming unit 18. Each unit of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 willbe described below.

The control unit 10 controls the digital multifunction peripheral 1 in acoordinated manner and includes a central processing unit (CPU), arandom-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), various interfacecircuits, and the like. The control unit 10 detects signals from allsensors and performs monitoring and control of all loads placed onmotors, clutches, the panel unit 17, and the like to control operationof the digital multifunction peripheral 1 as a whole.

The image scanning unit 11 is a unit that detects and scans a document,such as a card, placed on the platen 191 or a document transported froma document tray and that generates image data.

The image forming unit 12, which includes a laser scanning unit (LSU)121, is a unit that prints on a sheet an image based on image datagenerated by the image processing unit 14. The LSU 121 is a device thatforms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating a surface of acharged photosensitive drum with laser light corresponding to imageinformation composed of digital signals acquired by the image scanningunit 11.

The storage 13 is a device or a recording medium that storesinformation, control programs, and the like that are used to realizevarious functions of the digital multifunction peripheral 1. Asemiconductor device such as a RAM or a ROM, or a recording medium suchas a hard disk drive, a flash memory unit, or a solid-state drive (SSD)is used for the storage 13. Programs and data may be retained separatelyin different devices. For example, a data-retaining region may be a harddisk drive, and a program-retaining region may be a flash memory unit.

The image processing unit 14 is a unit that converts an image of adocument scanned by the image scanning unit 11 into proper electricsignals and that generates image data. In addition, in accordance withan instruction received via the display operation unit 171, the imageprocessing unit 14 performs processing of image data received from theimage scanning unit 11 so that output data satisfies the instruction,for example, to enlarge or reduce the image. The image processing unit14 also associates a plurality of pieces of image data with each otherin accordance with a predetermined layout.

The communication unit 15 is a unit that communicates with a computer, amobile information terminal, an external information processingapparatus, a facsimile device, or the like via a network or the like.Information of various kinds, such as emails or facsimile messages, istransmitted to or received from such external communication apparatusesvia the communication unit 15.

The sheet feeder 16 is a unit that transports sheets housed in a sheetfeed cassette or a manual feed tray to the image forming unit 12.

The panel unit 17, which is a unit equipped with a liquid crystaldisplay, includes the display operation unit 171 and the physicaloperation unit 172.

The display operation unit 171 is a unit that displays information ofvarious kinds and that receives an instruction from a user via a touchpanel function. The display operation unit 171 is constituted by, forexample, a cathode-ray tube (CRT) display, a liquid crystal display, oran electroluminescent (EL) display and is a display device, such as amonitor or a line display, that enables the operating system orapplication software to display information based on electronic data,such as processing status. The control unit 10 causes the displayoperation unit 171 to display operation status and condition of thedigital multifunction peripheral 1.

Outline of Card Scan Processing

Next, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, an outline of card scan processingperformed by the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to a firstembodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIGS. 7 and 8constitute a flowchart illustrating the outline of card scan processingperformed by the digital multifunction peripheral 1 in FIG. 1.

In the following, a multi-card scan mode will be described. A multi-cardscan mode is defined as a mode in which images on the front and backsurfaces of a plurality of cards placed on the platen 191 are scannedand a plurality of pieces of image data are generated.

When a user selects the multi-card scan mode in step S1 in FIG. 7 (stepS1), the control unit 10 causes the display operation unit 171 todisplay a setting screen for the multi-card scan and receives settingsin step S2, which follows step S1 (step S2). Specifically, the controlunit 10 causes the display operation unit 171 to display a settingscreen for a card scan and transmission (output) and enables the user toinput settings.

Subsequently, in step S3, the control unit 10 determines whether thesetting input for the card scan and the transmission is completed. Whenthe setting input for the card scan and the transmission is completed(Yes in step S3), the control unit 10 performs processing in step S4(step S4). In contrast, when the setting input for the card scan and thetransmission is not completed (No in step S3), the control unit 10repeats the determination processing in step S3 (step S3).

Then, in step S4, the control unit 10 causes the display operation unit171 to display an instruction to place a plurality of documents, each ofwhich is to be placed in one of a plurality of predetermined areas onthe platen 191, and to touch a predetermined key such as a preview keyor an OK key thereafter (step S4).

Next, in step S5, the control unit 10 determines whether the preview keyis touched (step S5). When the preview key is touched (Yes in step S5),in step S6, the control unit 10 causes the display operation unit 171 todisplay a preview screen of the image data of the cards placed on theplaten 191 (step S6). Subsequently, the control unit 10 performsdetermination processing in step S7 (step S7).

In contrast, when the preview key is not touched (No in step S5), thecontrol unit 10 performs determination processing in step S7 (step S7).

In step S7, the control unit 10 determines whether the OK key is touched(step S7). When the OK key is touched (Yes in step S7), in step S8, thecontrol unit 10 generates a plurality of pieces of image data (firstimage data), each of the plurality of pieces corresponding to a firstsurface of one of the plurality of documents that are placed separatelyin the plurality of areas (step S8).

Subsequently, the control unit 10 performs processing in step S9 in FIG.8 (step S9).

In contrast, when the OK key is not touched (No in step S7), the controlunit 10 repeats determination processing in step S5 (step S5).

Then, in step S9 in FIG. 8, the control unit 10 causes the displayoperation unit 171 to display an instruction to turn over and place eachof the plurality of documents in one of the plurality of areas on theplaten 191 and to touch a predetermined key such as the preview key orthe OK key thereafter (step S9).

Subsequently, in step S10, the control unit 10 determines whether thepreview key is touched (step S10). When the preview key is touched (Yesin step S10), in step S11, the control unit 10 causes the displayoperation unit 171 to display a preview screen of the image data of thecards placed on the platen 191 (step S11). Then, the control unit 10performs determination processing in step S12 (step S12).

In contrast, when the preview key is not touched in step S10 (No in stepS10), the control unit 10 performs determination processing in step S12(step S12).

In step S12, the control unit 10 determines whether the OK key istouched (step S12). When the OK key is touched (Yes in step S12), instep S13, the control unit 10 generates a plurality of pieces of imagedata (second image data), each of the plurality of pieces correspondingto the opposite surface of one of the plurality of documents that areplaced separately in the plurality of areas (step S13). Then, thecontrol unit 10 performs determination processing in step S14 in FIG. 8(step S14).

In contrast, when the OK key is not touched (No in step S12), thecontrol unit 10 repeats determination processing in step S10 (step S10).

In step S14, the control unit 10 determines whether a scan complete keyis touched (step S14). When the scan complete key is touched (Yes instep S14), in step S15, for each of the plurality of areas on the platen191, the control unit 10 associates a piece of the first image data witha piece of the second image data, both of which are obtained by scanningthe platen 191 (step S15). Then, the control unit 10 waits forprocessing in step S17 to finish (step S17).

In contrast, when the scan complete key is not touched in step S14 (Noin step S14), in step S16, the control unit 10 causes the displayoperation unit 171 to display an instruction to check whether anotherdocument to be scanned is present (step S16). When another document tobe scanned is present (Yes in step S16), the control unit 10 repeats theprocessing in step S4 in FIG. 7 (step S4). In contrast, no otherdocument to be scanned is present (No in step S16), the control unit 10repeats the determination processing in step S14 (step S14).

Then, when a start key is touched in step S17, in step S18, the controlunit 10 causes the image processing unit 14 to process the scanned imagedata in accordance with the layout set by the user and causes the imageforming unit 12 to perform image formation (step S18).

Example of Operating Procedure for Card Scan

Next, referring to FIGS. 9 to 22 and FIGS. 23A and 23B, an example of anoperating procedure for card scan performed by the digital multifunctionperipheral 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosurewill be described. FIGS. 9 to 11 and FIG. 13 are illustrations depictingthe example of the operating procedure for card scan performed by thedigital multifunction peripheral 1 in FIG. 1. FIG. 12 is an enlargedillustration of a setting screen SS1 for card scan depicted in FIG. 11.FIG. 14 is an enlarged illustration of a setting screen SS2 forselecting a transmission layout depicted in FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is anillustration depicting an example layout of cards C1 and C2 on theplaten 191 in FIG. 4. FIG. 16 is an illustration depicting an example ofa preview screen of the front surfaces of the cards C1 and C2 scanned asdepicted in FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is an illustration depicting anotherexample layout of the cards C1 and C2 on the platen 191 in FIG. 4. FIG.18 is an illustration depicting an example of improper layout of thecards C1 and C2 on the platen 191 in FIG. 4. FIG. 19 is an illustrationdepicting an example layout of the cards C1 and C2 on the platen 191 inFIG. 4. FIG. 20 is an illustration depicting an example of a previewscreen of the back surfaces of the cards C1 and C2 scanned as depictedin FIG. 19. FIG. 21 is an illustration depicting an example of aconfirmation message checking whether another scan is to be performed.FIG. 22 is an illustration depicting an example of a preview screen ofthe front and back surfaces of the cards C1 and C2 displayed inaccordance with a selected transmission layout. FIGS. 23A and 23B areillustrations depicting example layouts of the cards C1 and C2 on theplaten 191 in FIG. 4. FIG. 23A depicts an example layout for scanningthe back surfaces of the cards C1 and C2, and FIG. 23B depicts anexample layout for scanning the front surfaces of the cards C1 and C2.

First, as depicted in FIG. 9, a user touches an “Other Functions” key K1on the display operation unit 171. Next, as depicted in FIG. 10, theuser touches “Multiple Cropping Card Scan” key K2 to select themulti-card scan mode.

Then, as depicted in FIG. 11, the setting screen SS1 for card scan isdisplayed on the display operation unit 171. When two cards are to bescanned, a vertical boundary line that divides an area representing theplaten 191 into the left area and the right area is displayed on thesetting screen SS1. When four cards are to be scanned, two boundarylines, vertical and horizontal, that divide the area representing theplaten 191 into four areas are displayed on the setting screen SS1.Thus, the user easily places the front and back surfaces of one of theplurality of documents in the same area using these boundary lines as aguide.

In the example setting screen SS1 depicted in FIG. 12, “Two Documents”is selected from settings “One Document”, “Two Documents”, and “FourDocuments” for card scan.

Referring next to FIG. 13, when the user selects a “Transmission Layout”tab T2, the setting screen SS2 for transmission layout is displayed onthe display operation unit 171 as depicted in FIG. 14. In the examplesetting screen SS2 depicted in FIG. 14, a transmission layout on theleft is selected from three transmission layouts that are displayed.

In FIGS. 13 and 14, a number displayed in a card represents a kind ofthe card. A card with a black number on a white background representsthe front surface, and a card with a white number on a black backgroundrepresents the back surface. Hereinafter, cards are represented in thesame manner. The layout on the left in FIG. 14 represents a layout usedfor transmitting images of the front and back surfaces of the two cardsto a sheet of paper. The layout in the center represents a layout usedfor transmitting images of the front and back surfaces of one of the twocards to a sheet of paper and images of the front and back surfaces ofthe other of the two cards to another sheet of paper. The layout on theright represents a layout used for transmitting images of the frontsurfaces of the two cards to a sheet of paper and images of the backsurfaces of the two cards to another sheet of paper.

When the setting input for “Scan” and “Transmission Layout” iscompleted, the user touches the “OK” key K3.

Next, the user opens the platen cover 19 and places a plurality of cards(two cards C1 and C2 in FIG. 15) on the platen 191 as depicted in FIG.15. At this time, the user places the cards C1 and C2 on areas AR1 andAR2, respectively, so that the front surfaces of the cards are scanned.The areas AR1 and AR2 are areas located on both sides of a triangulararrowhead G1 on a document guide surrounding the platen 191.

The triangular arrowhead in FIG. 15 is just an example, and a line(indicating line) or other symbols may be used. These symbols areprinted on the document guide. Document sizes are also printed on thedocument guide in FIG. 15.

Although a dotted line representing a boundary line passing through thetriangular arrowhead G1 is drawn to indicate the areas AR1 and AR2clearly in the example depicted in FIG. 15, no dotted line is drawn onthe platen 191.

When three to four cards are placed, each of the cards is placed in oneof four areas AR1 to AR4 on the platen 191 divided by two boundarylines, one of which passes through the triangular arrowhead G1, and theother of which passes through another triangular arrowhead G2. More thanfour cards are placed in a similar manner.

After placing the two cards C1 and C2 in the areas AR1 and AR2,respectively, the user touches a “Preview” key K4 on the displayoperation unit 171. Then, as depicted in FIG. 16, a preview screen ofthe front surfaces of the scanned cards C1 and C2 is displayed on thedisplay operation unit 171. A dotted line representing the boundarybetween the areas AR1 and AR2 is displayed on the preview screen.

Although an example in which the cards C1 and C2 are placed at thecenters of the areas AR1 and AR2, respectively, is depicted in FIG. 15,the cards C1 and C2 may be placed anywhere in the areas AR1 and AR2,respectively, as depicted in FIG. 17.

The image processing unit 14 identifies four vertexes of each of thecards C1 and C2 from image data obtained by scanning the cards C1 and C2and extracts only a piece of image data corresponding to a quadrilateralregion defined by the four vertexes. Thus, wherever the cards are placedin the areas, only the pieces of image data corresponding to the cardsC1 and C2 are extracted. As depicted in FIG. 16, preview images of theextracted pieces of image data corresponding to the cards C1 and C2 aredisplayed at the center of the areas AR1 and AR2, respectively, on thepreview screen.

In contrast, as depicted in FIG. 18, when the card C1 is placed on theboundary line passing through the triangular arrowhead G1 or the card C2is placed beyond the area that is to be scanned on the platen 191,images of the cards C1 and C2 are not properly obtained.

When the user checks the preview screen of the front surfaces of thecards in FIG. 16 and finds no problem, the user touches the “OK” key K3.

Next, the user turns over the two cards C1 and C2 and places the cardson the platen 191 as depicted in FIG. 19 so that the back surfaces ofthe cards are scanned. Thereafter, the user touches the “Preview” key K4on the display operation unit 171 depicted in FIG. 20. Then, as depictedin FIG. 20, a preview screen of the back surfaces of the scanned cardsC1 and C2 is displayed on the display operation unit 171. When the userchecks the preview screen of the back surfaces of the cards and finds noproblem, the user touches the “OK” key K3.

Then, as depicted in FIG. 21, a confirmation message to check whetheranother scan is to be performed is displayed on the display operationunit 171. When no other scan is performed, the user touches the “ScanComplete” key K5. When another scan is performed, the user placesanother document and touches the “Start” key K6.

Next, as depicted in FIG. 22, a preview screen of the front and backsurfaces of the scanned cards C1 and C2 is displayed on the displayoperation unit 171 in accordance with the layout selected in the settingfor the transmission layout. When the user checks the preview screen andfinds no problem, the user touches the “Start” key K6 to start printing.

As depicted in FIGS. 23A and 23B, the cards C1 and C2 may be placedanywhere in the areas AR1 and AR2, respectively. A position where eachof the cards C1 and C2 is placed after the cards are turned over may bedifferent from the position where each of the cards is placed beforeturned over, and the front and back surfaces of each of the cards may beplaced at different positions as depicted in FIGS. 23A and 23B.

In this way, the user may place the cards C1 and C2 anywhere in thepredetermined areas AR1 and AR2, respectively, and scan the cards. Thus,it is possible to place the plurality of cards C1 and C2 on the platen191 with less restriction than in the related art to scan the cards at asingle time.

Second Embodiment

Next, referring to FIGS. 24A and 24B, FIGS. 25A to 25D, FIGS. 26A to26D, and FIGS. 27A and 27B, the digital multifunction peripheral 1according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed. FIGS. 24A and 24B, FIGS. 25A to 25D, FIGS. 26A to 26D, andFIGS. 27A and 27B are illustrations each depicting a transmission layoutaccording to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 24A and 24B each depict an example layout for transmitting imagesof the front and back surfaces of one card C1 to a sheet of paper. FIG.24A depicts an example layout for transmission to a sheet in portraitorientation, and FIG. 24B depicts an example layout for transmission toa sheet in landscape orientation.

In the example depicted in FIG. 24A, images of the front and backsurfaces of the card C1 are arranged in a column from top to bottom inthis order on a sheet of paper in portrait orientation. In the exampledepicted in FIG. 24B, images of the front and back surfaces of the cardC1 are arranged in a row from left to right in this order on a sheet ofpaper in landscape orientation.

The user selects the layout depicted in FIG. 24A for the transmission toa sheet in portrait orientation and the layout depicted in FIG. 24B forthe transmission to a sheet in landscape orientation.

FIGS. 25A to 25D each depict an example layout for transmitting imagesof the front and back surfaces of two cards C1 and C2 to a sheet ofpaper. FIGS. 25A and 25B each depict an example layout for transmissionto a sheet in portrait orientation, and FIGS. 25C and 25D each depict anexample layout for transmission to a sheet in landscape orientation.

In the examples depicted in FIGS. 25A and 25B, images of the front andback surfaces of the two cards C1 and C2 are arranged in two rows andtwo columns on a sheet of paper in portrait orientation.

In the following descriptions, a column is denoted by a first column, asecond column, or the like from left to right, and a row is denoted by afirst row, a second row, or the like from top to bottom. In addition, inthe following descriptions, when a plurality of images are arranged in acolumn, the plurality of images are placed from top to bottom insuccession, and when a plurality of images are arranged in a row, theplurality of images are placed from left to right in succession.

In the example depicted in FIG. 25A, images of the front and backsurfaces of the first card C1 are arranged in a line in the first row,and images of the front and back surfaces of the second card C2 arearranged in a line in the second row. In the example depicted in FIG.25B, images of the front and back surfaces of the first card C1 arearranged in a line in the first column, and images of the front and backsurfaces of the second card C2 are arranged in a line in the secondcolumn.

In the examples depicted in FIGS. 25C and 25D, images of the front andback surfaces of the two cards C1 and C2 are arranged in two rows andtwo columns on a sheet of paper in landscape orientation. Specifically,in the example depicted in FIG. 25C, images of the front and backsurfaces of the first card C1 are arranged in a line in the first row,and images of the front and back surfaces of the second card C2 arearranged in a line in the second row. In the example depicted in FIG.25D, images of the front and back surfaces of the first card C1 arearranged in a line in the first column, and images of the front and backsurfaces of the second card C2 are arranged in a line in the secondcolumn.

The user selects the layout depicted in FIG. 25A or 25B for thetransmission to a sheet in portrait orientation and the layout depictedin FIG. 25C or 25D for the transmission to a sheet in landscapeorientation.

FIGS. 26A to 26D each depict an example layout for transmitting imagesof the front and back surfaces of the two cards C1 and C2 to two sheetsof paper. FIGS. 26A and 26B each depict an example layout fortransmission to sheets in portrait orientation, and FIGS. 26C and 26Deach depict an example layout for transmission to sheets in landscapeorientation.

In the examples depicted in FIGS. 26A and 26B, images of the front andback surfaces of the two cards C1 and C2 are arranged in a column oneach of the two sheets in portrait orientation. Specifically, in theexample depicted in FIG. 26A, images of the front surfaces of the twocards C1 and C2 are arranged in a column on the first sheet, and imagesof the back surfaces of the two cards C1 and C2 are arranged in a columnon the second sheet. In the example depicted in FIG. 26B, images of thefront and back surfaces of the first card C1 are arranged in a column onthe first sheet, and images of the front and back surfaces of the secondcard C2 are arranged in a column on the second sheet.

In the examples depicted in FIGS. 26C and 26D, images of the front andback surfaces of the two cards C1 and C2 are arranged in a row on eachof the two sheets in landscape orientation. Specifically, in the exampledepicted in FIG. 26C, images of the front surfaces of the two cards C1and C2 are arranged in a row on the first sheet, and images of the backsurfaces of the two cards C1 and C2 are arranged in a row on the secondsheet. In the example depicted in FIG. 26D, images of the front and backsurfaces of the first card C1 are arranged in a row on the first sheet,and images of the front and back surfaces of the second card C2 arearranged in a row on the second sheet.

The user selects the layout depicted in FIG. 26A or 26B for thetransmission to a sheet in portrait orientation and the layout depictedin FIG. 26C or 26D for the transmission to a sheet in landscapeorientation. These images may be printed on the front and back surfacesof one sheet of paper or on two sheets of paper separately.

FIGS. 27A and 27B each depict an example layout for transmitting imagesof the front and back surfaces of four cards C1 to C4 to a sheet ofpaper. FIGS. 27A and 27B each depict the example layout for transmissionto a sheet in portrait orientation.

In the examples depicted in FIGS. 27A and 27B, images of the front andback surfaces of the four cards C1 to C4 are arranged in four rows andtwo columns on a sheet of paper in portrait orientation. Specifically,in the example depicted in FIG. 27A, images of the front surfaces of thefour cards C1 to C4 are arranged in a line in the first column, andimages of the back surfaces of the four cards C1 to C4 are arranged in aline in the second column. In the example depicted in FIG. 27B, imagesof the front and back surfaces of the first card C1 are arranged in aline in the first column in the first and second rows, images of thefront and back surfaces of the second card C2 are arranged in a line inthe second column in the first and second rows, images of the front andback surfaces of the third card C3 are arranged in a line in the firstcolumn in the third and fourth rows, and images of the front and backsurfaces of the fourth card C4 are arranged in a line in the secondcolumn in the third and fourth rows.

The user selects the layout depicted in FIG. 27A or 27B.

The transmission layout is not limited to the layouts described above,and this disclosure does not exclude a layout other than the aboveexamples.

In this way, the user may select any layout as desired from the layoutsproduced based on the images of scanned cards without determining andsetting a layout when placing the cards on the platen 191, and thus itis possible to print the front and back surfaces of a plurality of cardsmore easily than in the related art.

Third Embodiment

Next, referring to FIGS. 28A, 28B, 29A, 29B, 30A, 30B, 31A, and 31B, thedigital multifunction peripheral 1 according to a third embodiment ofthe present disclosure will be described. FIGS. 28A, 28B, 29A, 29B, 30A,30B, 31A, and 31B are illustrations depicting examples of improper cardlayout. FIGS. 28A, 29A, 30A, and 31A each depict an example layout forscanning the back surfaces of the cards, and FIGS. 28B, 29B, 30B, and31B each depict an example layout for scanning the front surfaces of thecards.

As depicted in FIG. 18, when a plurality of cards are not properlyplaced in predetermined areas, the control unit 10 may cause the displayoperation unit 171 to display error information requesting the user toplace properly the plurality of cards in the predetermined areas.

In addition, when an arrangement of the cards C1 and C2 placed in theareas AR1 and AR2 is different for the front surface and for the backsurface, the control unit 10 may cause the display operation unit 171 todisplay error information requesting the user to place properly theplurality of cards in the predetermined areas.

Examples of a case where the arrangement of the cards C1 and C2 placedin the areas AR1 and AR2 is different for the front surface and for theback surface include a case where the number of the cards C1 and C2placed in the areas AR1 and AR2 is different for the front surface andfor the back surface, as depicted in FIGS. 28A and 28B and FIGS. 29A and29B.

In addition, as depicted in FIGS. 30A and 30B, when the number of thecards C1 to C3 placed in the areas AR1 to AR4 is the same for the frontsurface and for the back surface but positions of the areas in which thecards C1 to C3 are placed are different for the front surface and forthe back surface, the control unit 10 may cause the display operationunit 171 to display error information.

Further, as depicted in FIGS. 31A and 31B, when the cards are properlyplaced in the areas AR1 and AR2 but the sizes or shapes of the cards C2and C3 placed in the same area AR2 are different for the front surfaceand for the back surface, the control unit 10 may cause the displayoperation unit 171 to display error information.

In this way, when the plurality of documents placed on the platen 191are not properly arranged in the plurality of areas, the errorinformation is displayed, and thus an image scanning device that enablesthe user to place a plurality of documents without a mistake atpositions on the platen 191 with less restriction than in the relatedart and to scan the plurality of documents at a single time is realized.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, referring to FIGS. 32A and 32B, the digital multifunctionperipheral 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosurewill be described. FIGS. 32A and 32B are illustrations depicting anotherexample of card layout on the platen 191 of the digital multifunctionperipheral 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 32A depicts an example layout for scanning the backsurfaces of the cards, and FIG. 32B depicts an example layout forscanning the front surfaces of the cards.

As depicted in FIGS. 32A and 32B, when the cards C1 and C2 are placedobliquely or upside down in the areas AR1 and AR2, respectively, imagedata may be automatically corrected so that the images of the cards C1and C2 are oriented towards the right direction by detecting tiltingangles of the cards C1 and C2 based on tilting angles of the edges ofthe cards, directions of characters printed on the cards, or the like.

In this way, a user may place cards in a plurality of areas withoutrestriction, and thus it is possible to print the front and backsurfaces of a plurality of cards more easily than in the related art.

Desirable embodiments of the present disclosure include combinations ofsome of the plurality of embodiments described above. Variousmodifications of the present disclosure, other than the embodimentsdescribed above, are possible. Those modifications are not to beconsidered to be outside the scope of the present disclosure. Thepresent disclosure is to embrace all the modifications within themeaning of equivalency of the claims and within the scope of the claims.

The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosedin Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2017-117208 filed in theJapan Patent Office on Jun. 14, 2017, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/005,788 filed on Jun. 12, 2018, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image scanning device comprising: a platen; animage scanner that scans at a single time a plurality of documentsplaced on the platen and generates a plurality of pieces of image data;and an image data processor that performs processing of the plurality ofpieces of image data, wherein, when the image scanner scans at a singletime the first surfaces of the plurality of documents, each of theplurality of documents being placed in one of a plurality ofpredetermined areas on the platen, and thereafter scans at a single timethe second surfaces opposite to the first surfaces of the plurality ofdocuments, each of the plurality of documents being turned over andplaced again in the one of the plurality of predetermined areas, theimage data processor associates one of the image data generated byscanning the first surfaces of the plurality of documents with acorresponding one of the image data generated by scanning the secondsurfaces of the plurality of documents for each of the plurality ofpredetermined areas, as pieces of image data of a front surface and aback surface.
 2. The image scanning device according to claim 1, furthercomprising: an area indicator having at least one mark that indicatespositions of the plurality of predetermined areas.
 3. The image scanningdevice according to claim 1, further comprising: an output layout setterthat sets a layout for outputting the plurality of pieces of image data,wherein the image data processor associates the plurality of pieces ofimage data with each other in accordance with the layout that is set bythe output layout setter.
 4. The image scanning device according toclaim 1, further comprising: a display, wherein the display displays atleast one mark that indicates positions of the plurality of areas on theplaten, the plurality of areas being predetermined in accordance withthe number of the plurality of documents to be scanned at a single time,so that each of the plurality of documents is placed separately in oneof the plurality of areas.
 5. The image scanning device according toclaim 4, wherein the at least one mark is a boundary line that dividesthe platen into the plurality of areas in accordance with the number ofthe plurality of documents to be scanned at a single time.
 6. The imagescanning device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one mark isan arrow, an indicating line, or another indicating symbol thatindicates a position of a boundary between the plurality of areas inaccordance with the number of the plurality of documents to be scannedat a single time.
 7. The image scanning device according to claim 4,wherein the image scanner scans the first surfaces of the plurality ofdocuments, and thereafter the display displays a scan result of theimage data of the first surfaces of the plurality of documents.
 8. Theimage scanning device according to claim 4, wherein the image scannerscans the first surfaces of the plurality of documents, and thereafterthe display displays an instruction to turn over and place each of theplurality of documents again in a corresponding one of the plurality ofareas.
 9. The image scanning device according to claim 8, wherein theinstruction includes at least one of an animation and a message.
 10. Theimage scanning device according to claim 1, further comprising: adisplay; and an operator that receives an instruction from a user,wherein, the display displays a plurality of number-of-documentsselection keys for selecting the number of the plurality of documents tobe scanned at a single time and a plurality of layouts for outputtingthe image data so that one of the plurality of number-of-documentsselection keys and a corresponding one of the plurality of layouts arearranged next to each other.
 11. The image scanning device according toclaim 1, further comprising: a display; and an operator that receives aninstruction from a user, wherein, the display displays, in accordancewith the number of the plurality of documents to be scanned at a singletime, a plurality of layouts in which the plurality of documents arearranged in rows, in columns, or in rows and columns in accordance withpredetermined arrays, and when the operator receives selection of one ofthe plurality of layouts, the output layout setter associates each ofthe plurality of pieces of the first image data with one of theplurality of pieces of the second image data in accordance with theselected one of the plurality of layouts.
 12. The image scanning deviceaccording to claim 4, further comprising: an image scanning determiner,wherein, when the image scanning determiner determines that theplurality of documents are not arranged in the plurality of areas, thedisplay displays error information.
 13. An image processing apparatuscomprising: the image scanning device according to claim 4; wherein theimage data processor performs processing of the plurality of pieces ofimage data generated by the image scanning device and thereafter causesthe display to display an image based on the plurality of pieces ofimage data.
 14. An image scanning method comprising: image scanning inwhich a plurality of documents placed on a platen are scanned at asingle time and a plurality of pieces of image data are generated; andimage data processing in which the plurality of pieces of image data areprocessed, wherein, in the image scanning, when the first surfaces ofthe plurality of documents are scanned at a single time, each of theplurality of documents being placed in one of a plurality ofpredetermined areas on the platen, and thereafter the second surfacesopposite to the first surfaces of the plurality of documents are scannedat a single time, each of the plurality of documents being turned overand placed again in the one of the plurality of predetermined areas, inthe image data processing, one of the image data generated by scanningthe first surfaces of the plurality of documents is associated with acorresponding one of the image data generated by scanning the secondsurfaces of the plurality of documents for each of the plurality ofpredetermined areas, as pieces of image data of a front surface and aback surface.
 15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing aprogram causing a processor of an image scanning device to execute aprocess, the process comprising: image scanning in which a plurality ofdocuments placed on a platen are scanned at a single time and aplurality of pieces of image data are generated; and image dataprocessing in which the plurality of pieces of image data are processed,wherein, in the image scanning, when the first surfaces of the pluralityof documents are scanned at a single time, each of the plurality ofdocuments being placed in one of a plurality of predetermined areas onthe platen, and thereafter the second surfaces opposite to the firstsurfaces of the plurality of documents are scanned at a single time,each of the plurality of documents being turned over and placed again inthe one of the plurality of predetermined areas, in the image dataprocessing, one of the image data generated by scanning the firstsurfaces of the plurality of documents is associated with acorresponding one of the image data generated by scanning the secondsurfaces of the plurality of documents for each of the plurality ofpredetermined areas, as pieces of image data of a front surface and aback surface.